London: Singer Ed Sheeran says his career has been inspired by Coldplay.

The 'Thinking Out Loud' hitmaker said the band's lead singer, Chris Martin, and their albums Parachutes and A Rush of Blood to the Head have been critical to his creations, reported BBC online.

"I think Chris Martin is really interesting. I based the first half of my career off Coldplay. + is my Para chutes and X my Rush Of Blood so... The next album will be X&Y," he said.

Sheeran, 23, recently revealed he didn't do his school homework because he was busy trying to make music.

"I was not stimulated by school whatsoever. In almost every lesson I thought, 'This is pointless. What am I going to do with Biology or Chemistry?' I was sure that I could find a job in music.

"I could make tea at Island Records or be a studio hand, or I could end up being a songwriter. I didn't do homework and I remember not turning up to school for a long time. I had a lot of detentions and suspensions, which didn't go down well."